Artwork
Master Schaum
Master Schaum is an unspecified painting by the American Folk Art artist Jacob Eichholtz. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1809, Master Schaum is a small portrait by Jacob Eichholtz, a self‑taught artist who worked mainly in Philadelphia. The work belongs to the early American folk‑art tradition and is now part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas shows a toddler, probably two or three years old, rendered in profile and looking to the left. He wears dark clothing with a white lace collar and grips a tiny hammer in his right hand, a detail that hints at an apprenticeship or early instruction in a craft such as carpentry.
Technique & Style
Eichholtz’s handling reflects the Romantic Victorian portrait style, with careful attention to the boy’s facial expression and the texture of his garments. The background is rendered in a uniform brown, allowing the figure’s modest attire and the subtle play of light on his features to dominate the composition.
History & Provenance
Jacob Eichholtz, originally a coppersmith, turned to portraiture and produced more than eight hundred works over his career. Master Schaum entered the Art Institute of Chicago’s holdings, where it remains on display as an example of his early output and of the broader folk‑art milieu of the young United States.
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